Carers Week 2026 - Building Carer Friendly Communities
Who is a carer?
A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction, or who needs extra help as they grow older. It isn’t someone who volunteers or is employed to provide support.
Unpaid carers save the UK economy an estimated £184 billion each year – the equivalent of a second NHS – but not everyone gets the support they need. Carers UK research shows that more than half (57%) of carers feel overwhelmed ‘often’ or ‘always’.
Call for carer friendly communities
A carer friendly community is a place, space or organisation that values carers and does something practical to support them by identifying carers, listening and responding to their experiences so that they are not left to cope alone.
This includes the workplace, local communities, faith communities, GP practices, hospitals, local NHS neighbourhoods, pharmacies, schools, colleges and universities, businesses or online communities supporting unpaid carers. Carers Week 2026 will shine a light on what works well at present and what must change so that unpaid carers get better recognition.
Carers UK and charity supporters Age UK, Carers Trust, MND Association, Rethink Mental Illness, The ME Association and The Lewy Body Society are inviting communities to share good practice, and for all of us to help raise awareness of the importance of carer friendly communities.
Add your name and support Carers Week at: Home | Carers Week
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“Carers Week 2026 is a crucial chance for all of us to play a positive part in building carer friendly communities, to think about unpaid carers and how we can help them look after their health and wellbeing, their relationships and their financial security.
“Carers face challenges every step of the way in their lives. We need carer friendly communities to steer a better pathway to support, giving carers and the people they care for a better quality of life and better opportunities, regardless of their age and where they live. Let’s work together towards greater visibility and support.”
Support for carers
Carers UK information and support:
Carers UK can offer information and signposting
0808 808 7777 from Monday to Friday, 9 am – 6 pm (including Bank Holidays).
Halton Carers Centre:
Halton Carers Centre supports unpaid carers, who are looking after someone in the Halton area.
Register using the forms below:
- Adult Carers: https://forms.office.com/r/Bkp57JDe7f
- Young Carers: https://forms.office.com/r/xYQC2e4PWm
